From Jason Weeks (@jasontweeks):
Jason, I’d say the Minnesota Vikings move to No. 4 for J.J. McCarthy, but that’s not to say they prefer the Michigan quarterback (though they might, I don’t know one way or the other). It’s because of what it sure seems like is going to happen within the top three. And at this point, my information, and we reported this in my Kirk Cousins story Monday, is that teams that have tried to trade into that range have been met with polite no’s from the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots.
That doesn’t mean that can’t change. It’s possible we get closer to the draft, and the Patriots decide they like one of the non–Caleb Williams quarterbacks. If that guy isn’t there, and they don’t see the others being worth a third pick, they could be willing to move the pick while they’re on the clock. But for right now, it seems less likely that a trade into the top three will be there for the Vikings, which presumably would mean no Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels for Minnesota, with at least the perception those two are going Nos. 2 and 3, in some order.
Now, do I think Maye might be Minnesota’s preference? Sure. Maye was coached by Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown for a stretch in high school, and was teammates with McCown’s son. There’s a lot to like there. But whether they like him or Daniels or McCarthy, if they can’t get into the top three, then, naturally, the Vikings will have to be comfortable with all four of the top QBs to warrant moving up to the fourth or fifth pick (to position themselves in front of the New York Giants at No. 6 and go get one).
